It’s always a good time to quit smoking

As well as the obvious links to cancer and lung disease, smoking’s been linked to back pain, neck pain and rheumatoid arthritis. Smoking also causes fatigue and slower healing, which can make your pain worse. And it can make some of your medications less effective.

So quitting smoking has many health benefits. Within weeks of quitting you’ll breathe easier and have more energy, making it easier to exercise and do day-to-day activities.

Quitting can be really tough, but there’s a lot of help available to support you.

Tips for quitting

Get help. You don’t have to go it alone. There are lots of people and organisations who can help you. Talk to your doctor and call the Quitline (137 848).

Decide on a strategy. Are you going to use medication, nicotine replacement, coaching or a combination of strategies? Or are you going to go cold turkey?

Talk to your family and friends. Let them know what you’re doing and ask for their support.

Write down the reasons you want to quit and put this list in prominent places to encourage and motivate you.

Have some strategies in place for when you want to smoke, e.g. what will you do if you’re around other smokers?

Be kind to yourself. Quitting can be difficult and you may have a slip-up or two. It’s not the end of the world, or the end of quitting. You can get back on track.

Use some of the money you save and treat yourself to something special. You’ve worked hard – spoil yourself with a massage, gold class movie tickets, visit a favourite restaurant, buy that book you’ve been wanting.

Quitting smoking is hard – but there are so many rewards.

Take your first step today - talk to your doctor, get your family and friends on board to support you, call Quitline. You’ll feel so much better.